We were lucky to catch up with Christina Muscato recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my company, “Muscato”. It’s an art/design licensing business that I started as a means of creative self-expression, after spending 16 years of my career designing brand-related projects for others. From a young age, I always enjoyed flipping through pages of wallpaper books, touching every fabric in a department store, and accompanying my mother at home shows to see beautifully crafted spaces, so it felt like an inevitable shift for me to design for retail products in home decor and fashion. At first, it was challenging to start designing without precise direction from a client. I had grown so accustomed to that type of guidance – but this venture has pushed me to really trust and listen to myself, which has made it even more meaningful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you describe your journey to becoming an illustrator and art licensor?

Sure, yes! I started out by going to school for Digital Media which was a mix of advertising & web design, and I minored in Studio Art. In my digital media courses I learned technical industry-standard design software skills, and in my art classes I explored how to best pair colors together, paint, and draw in pencil. I have worked 16 years in brand design/advertising, but I found myself always admiring independent artists’ work that I’d come across online or at in-person events – and endlessly showed my support for all kinds of makers. It was only a matter of time before I was inspired enough to teach myself digital illustration, and how to create repeat patterns in Adobe Illustrator, like so many of the artists I followed.

With the help of mentorship and online courses, my skill set grew, and Muscato Art & Design Company was born. Today, Muscatodesign.com is filled with illustrations and patterns available for licensing. We look to partner with home or fashion retailers/manufacturer’s and love providing artwork for a variety of product goods that are eventually sold in stores (wallpaper, fabrics, dishware, bedding, and more).

Is there a mission driving your creative company?

Yes, definitely. The brand aims to highlight the benefits of art therapy for busy-minded people. It encourages people to slow down, and take note of the beauty surrounding them in everyday life. Whether out in nature or indoors in the decorative spaces we keep at home and in office, or on the apparel we wear — it’s important to pause and reflect more often. Muscato has balanced yet playful illustrations to dive into, and all kinds of color! Earthy or light ones that give a subtle calm to the viewer, bright-bold colors that exude excitement – or muted ones, for example, that give off a cozy nostalgic feeling. And lines! Something for the eye to follow as they move along a print or wallpaper… A sort of flow to hook into when the mind is crowded. This is Muscato’s humble offering to customers: A tiny nudge to be in the present moment more.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being an artist is having the gift of imagination, and passion to always create something new. The fact that artists (and all people) can just visualize something, and then magically bring it into existence is a beautiful thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://muscatodesign.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/muscatodesign
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/christinamuscato
• Other: http://muscatodesign.com/book